LASIK FAQs

Q: If I have LASIK, will I achieve 20/20 vision?

A: Most patients reach 20/20 vision, and that’s the doctor’s goal; however, a small percentage of patients achieve less than perfect vision...in the neighborhood of 20/40. And, 20/40 is still good enough to drive a motor vehicle without glasses.

For some patients who’ve had poor vision all of their life, they’re extremely happy with less than perfect vision because their vision is still significantly improved... and they don’t have to RELY on glasses to see for normal, daily routines.

When you see a doctor for your free LASIK consultation, they’ll be able to examine your eyes and let you know, from their statistics, what your outcome will likely be.

Q: Is it true I may still need reading glasses after LASIK?

A: After you reach age 40, you may need reading glasses...and LASIK cannot eliminate this.

If you’re like many people, you may not mind wearing reading glasses - especially when you’ve had to rely on glasses for every other activity throughout your life. However, if you don’t want to wear reading glasses, you may want to consider a monovision correction...

With monovision, the doctor corrects one eye to see for distance, and the other eye to see close up. The result is that you’ll be able to see better. It will take a little time to adjust to this type of vision; however, many people are happy with it.

This type of vision correction is not for everyone. Your doctor will discuss this and other options before your procedure and help you make the best decision for your lifestyle.

Q: How much does LASIK cost?

A: The cost of vision correction varies among doctors, based on their experience and what’s included in the fee for the procedure. So make sure you’re comparing apples to apples if you plan to shop around.

It’s only natural to want to get the best price...but, remember, quality and service are extremely important when it comes to your vision. After all, LASIK is a procedure you’ll have done only once in your lifetime and your vision is one of your most important assets.

On average, across the U.S., LASIK costs about $2,000 per eye, which includes pre-operative and post-operative care, and some practices offer a one-year limited warranty. That means that if you need a vision enhancement in the first year, it’s included.

Since this procedure is not normally covered by insurance, most doctors accept credit cards or provide other financing options.

Q: How do I know if I’m a candidate for LASIK?

A: You’re a likely candidate if you meet the following criteria:

• You are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism;
  
  
• You are age 21-60 (over 60, you may be a candidate if you are free from cataracts);
  
  
• Your vision has been stable for 3 years;
  
  
• You have no eye problems - no recurring inflammation that causes itching;
  
  
• You have no health issues affecting your eyes. For example, if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetes, your doctor will need to make sure your condition is not causing eye problems.

To ensure you’re a candidate, you’ll want to make an appointment for a free evaluation, so a doctor can examine your eyes and let you know what your outcome will likely be.

Q: How safe is the LASIK procedure?

A: Any vision correction procedure will have possible side effects, such as:

Temporary Irritants

First, there are temporary irritants you’ll likely experience after the procedure. For example, your eyes may feel scratchy; like an eyelash or contact lens is in your eye. This is relieved with eye drops, which you’ll take after the procedure. You may also experience some watering of the eyes. And your eyesight may be a little hazy after the procedure. But these irritants are temporary and will soon disappear.

Under or Overcorrection

Another possible side effect is undercorrection. That means the doctor may not correct your vision to where he or she thinks it ought to be on the first attempt. If undercorrection occurs, your doctor will simply have you in for another treatment.

Another possibility is overcorrection. That means if you’re nearsighted now, it’s possible you could become farsighted. Overcorrection is possible, but unlikely because your doctor will be conservative on the initial procedure. If overcorrection were to occur, you would make a return visit to correct your vision using the appropriate procedure.

Serious Complications are Extremely Rare

Infection is the most worrisome complication. Fortunately, it can usually be eliminated with antibiotic eye drops, which you’ll use after surgery.

Finally, a problem could occur if you were to displace your flap and not let your doctor know. The doctor will minimize this possibility by having you wear eye protection when you take a nap or go to bed at night, during the first week after the procedure. The eye protection stops you from rubbing your eyes in your sleep. And, of course, you don’t want to rub your eyes when you’re awake either.